Pleasure has gone luxe in recent years, with high-tech gadgets from LELO, WeVibe and Babeland recharging the sex toy market with their snazzy squeal-inducing designs.
Yet, as much as we'd love to, not all of us can justify dropping more than £100 on a sex toy - especially since masturbation is still considered fairly taboo, even in today’s ‘woke’ climate.
New research from LELO reveals that 46 per cent of British men have used a male sex toy, either solo or with their partner, yet 59 per cent would not even discuss the topic with male friends and 20 per cent dismissed the use of them as ‘weird.’
Self-pleasure is also a touchy subject among women (pun fully intended). According to research by Gitnux, only 39 per cent of women are satisfied with their sex lives (side note: men, do better) but 79 per cent who masturbate are much happier. Additionally, 55 per cent of women aged between 18 and 29 have experienced fewer orgasms with partners compared to solo sex, making the stat that 85 per cent of women who tried masturbation before the age of 20 reported no negative outcomes or regrets very easy to believe.
Clearly, the demand for cheap and cheerful sex toys is there - we just need to talk about it more.
This has been the aim of body-positive shows such as Sex Education, which touched upon how shame, sexual identity and PTSD are intertwined with self-pleasure. Solo sex has also entered the celebrity group chat, with stars such as Madonna, Dakota Johnson, Miley Cyrus and Gwyneth Paltrow sparking conversation about sex toys in the public sphere. If health guru Gwyneth says it’s ok, we believe it.
Discover the best inexpensive sex toys to add to your collection and create a serious buzz in the bedroom.
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Lovehoney Buzz Vibrating Love Ring Aqua
Lovehoney’s Vibrating Love Ring is great for both foreplay and sex, adding stimulation during partner play and also helping to maintain an erection for longer.
Budget-friendly and impressively small, this stretchy ring offers hours of sizzling play. It requires two batteries and the brand has kindly included six in the pack. If you’re looking to step up your sex life without spending a fortune, this is one of the best couple’s toys for getting the job done right.
Buy now £12.99, Boots
Black Feather Tickler Soft Feather Fur Brush Tickler
With double ends for naughty and nice play, this black riding crop opens the door to a world of possibilities. Made with PU leather, use the tasselled side for light spanking and the feather side to tickle extra sensitive skin.
Buy now £7.99, Amazon
Lolitree Wearable Egg Vibrator
This compact vibrator connects to a dedicated app via Bluetooth, offering nine vibration modes for personalised pleasure. Designed with a curved shape for easy grip, simply hold the vibrator and control it yourself or hand it over to someone else.
App-controlled, this adult toy features a larger end for G-spot stimulation and a smaller end for clitoral or anal stimulation. This ergonomically designed adult toy for women is both discreet and wearable, with a quiet yet powerful massager that ensures privacy, making it suitable for use in various situations without attracting unwanted attention.
Buy now £23.79, Amazon
Lovehoney Excite 10 Function Bullet Vibrator
This Lovehoney Excite 10 Function Bullet Vibrator has both petite and non-intimidating proportions, making it ideal for beginners and a great travel companion. Its whisper-quiet vibrations are for discreet pleasure and it's completely waterproof for use in the bath or shower.
The 10 speeds and patterns pack a powerful punch and are controlled by a single button, leaving you free to concentrate on aiming attention at those deserving pleasure zones.
Buy now £12.99, Superdrug
Ann Summers Slimline Vibrating Anal Plug
Curious about butt plugs but not sure where to start? Look no further than Ann Summers’ Slimline Vibrating Anal Plug for an introduction to anal play. Made with smooth silicone, this anal plug has a tapered shape and a seven-speed removable bullet that can be used for added stimulation during foreplay.
It’s small enough to be beginner-friendly and can also be used without the bullet for non-vibrational play. Its tapered, slimline shape provides comfortable insertion perfect for beginners and its smooth silicone design makes it a versatile addition to your playtime.
Buy now £18.40, Amazon
Lovehoney Jewelled Heart Aluminium Butt Plug 2.5 Inch
Who says jewellery should be limited to your upper body? This sparkling jewelled butt plug is one of the prettiest around, with a gleaming pink heart-shaped diamond that promises to be the star of the show.
Made from steel with 2.5 inches of insertable length, this smooth 145g metal plug is perfect for adding a little sparkle to your anal adventures. It’s also suitable for temperature play – simply pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes, or leave it in warm water to change up your playtime.
Buy now £22.99, Lovehoney
Flicker Pebble Rechargeable Vibrator
Take control with the rechargeable Flicker Pebble Massager. Featuring a fluttering lip and eight generous settings, this hand-sized piece is perfect for travelling, whether you go it alone or with a partner.
Buy now £22.40, Ann Summers
Lovehoney Vibrating Inflatable Butt Plug
The Lovehoney Inflatable Butt Plug offers a totally customisable experience for those looking to step their anal play up a notch. One of the most versatile sex toys around for those looking for anal fun, this butt plug combines powerful vibrations with an inflatable plug, which you can use to increase the girth, then turn on the vibrations for incredibly satisfying anal stimulation.
It also has a wired controller, if you’re looking to play with someone else. While it may look a little intimidating, it’s designed for intermediate and advanced users alike.
Buy now £19.99, Lovehoney
So Divine Orgasm Gel
So Divine does a little more than your average lube. As well as providing a vegan-friendly gel that’s easy to apply and even easier to enjoy, it comes with a subtle menthol flavour.
The effect? A subtle tingling feeling shortly after application. One to use sparingly or whenever you’re looking to spice things up a little from the norm. Just maybe give your partner a heads-up before you apply it too liberally.
Buy now £7.99, lookfantastic
Kooho Quiet Waterproof Vibrator
While this Kooho Quiet Waterproof Vibrator may be a little larger than your usual travel sex toy, it's one that ticks all the boxes when it comes to noise - or the lack of it. Partially waterproof, it's easy to carry around with you, no matter where or when the urge arises. Impressively powerful, this is a travel sex toy you'll make space for in your hold luggage.
Buy now £14.51, Amazon
Cuumup Remote Control Mini Vibrator
The petite size of this Cuumup Remote Control Mini Vibrator means you can easily throw it in your bag, even if you're travelling somewhere with hand luggage only. Its powerful motors and 10 frequency intensive vibrators were designed for both power and flexibility, while its unique shape means you can use it as an anal toy, bullet vibrator, clitoral stimulator, vibrating egg, or as a classic female G-spot vibrator.
Buy now £16.96, Amazon
Wireless Wand Massager by Oliver James
Modelled on Hitachi's original wand massager, this device stays true to the script in that it's marketed as a 'portable sports neck massager'. However, the reviews tell quite a different story: "Got the wife screaming like a banshee. Exactly what I wanted it for. Top banana!" was one short but sweet piece of feedback, while another revealed, "She’s fallen in love with this pink wand and has kicked me out, moved the wand in and they’re now living their best life."
Charging is via USB and noise-wise, it sounds like a razor - not super loud, but certainly noticeable. Something to keep in mind if you don’t live alone.
Not only does this baby offer 20 vibration patterns and eight speeds but it has a memory function too, which means a repeat performance is just a click away. What's not to love?
Buy now £22.99, Amazon
Gcbuipau TX1- Fluffy Toy Butt Plug
Those looking to truly step things up a notch might fancy stepping into the world of butt plugs accompanied by the ever-popular tail. Suitable for fancy dress (of the adult occasion) or trying something new in the bedroom, this fox-esque tail is made from stainless steel for easy wear with a tapered tip that makes it smooth, easy to access and insert.
Buy now £17.09, Amazon
